Faculty

School Psychology Program: Primary Faculty

Bruce P. Mortenson, Ph.D., Program Director

Dr. Mortenson earned his doctorate in school psychology from Louisiana State University
in 1999. Dr. Mortenson obtained the degree of Psychology Specialist from Gallaudet
University's school psychology program in Washington DC and has held certification
as a school psychologist since 1992. Following a four-year tenure in the capacity
of assessment psychologist and behavior specialist at the Louisiana School for the
Deaf in Baton Rouge, Dr. Mortenson worked for the LSU School of Allied Health as a
consultant and trainer for public school personnel working with the deaf and hard
of hearing. Concurrent with these experiences, Dr. Mortenson completed his doctoral
training and subsequent pre-doctoral internship in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Mortenson
has authored and co-authored several journal articles related to individual and system
interventions in schools. He has presented at both the national and local levels and
continues to conduct research within his present capacity as associate professor in
the school psychology program. He teaches courses in the areas of assessment, ethics,
and exceptionalities. He is a member of NASP.

Craig Rush, Ph.D., NCSP, Assistant Professor

Dr. Rush graduated from the University of Alabama with a Ph.D. in school psychology
and an Ed.S. in educational psychology-school psychology. He also earned M.S. degrees
in rehabilitation counseling, substance abuse counseling, and vocational evaluation
from East Carolina University. Before his faculty appointment in the Department of
Psychology at Towson University, Dr. Rush was a member of the faculty in the Department
of Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling at the
University of Alabama and the Department of Psychology at Barry University. His research
interests are primarily focused on technological applications and alternative methods
related to consultation, professional training, school-based disaster preparation
and response, and various forms of intervention and assessment. Before working in
academe, Dr. Rush worked in public rehabilitation agencies in North Carolina and Nevada.
He holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential and is a Licensed
Applied Psychologist in Virginia.

Candice N. Aston, Ph.D, NCSP, Assistant Professor

Dr. Aston earned her doctorate in School Psychology in 2017 from Duquesne University.
She also earned a M.S. degree in Child Psychology and a M.A. in Elementary Education.
Dr. Aston has years of experience working with urban populations in school and clinical
settings. She recently completed her doctoral internship at Sarah Reed Children’s
Center, which provides intensive psychiatric services for children with significant
trauma and mental health concerns. The focal point of her research has centered around
culturally relevant social-emotional interventions for racially diverse populations.
In addition, Dr. Aston is interested in Black female identity development and disproportionality.
Dr. Aston has extensive intervention experience and has published several journal
articles on school-based interventions. In addition, she has presented at several
national conferences and is currently a member of NASP and APA. Dr. Aston will be
responsible for the coordination of practicum placements and will be teaching the
Practicum Seminar.

Susan M. Bartels, Ph.D., NCSP, Professor, Program Director

Dr. Bartels received her doctorate in School/Clinical Child Psychology from the University
of Virginia in 1982. She is a Licensed Psychologist and a Nationally Certified School
Psychologist and is certified by the Maryland State Department of Education as a school
psychologist. Dr. Bartels was employed as a full-time school psychologist in a public
school system for 18 years prior to becoming director of the Graduate program in School
Psychology at Towson. She teaches in the areas of intervention, functional behavioral
assessment, and foundations of school psychology. She also coordinates Practicum placements
and teaches the Practicum seminar. Her research activities are in the area of fostering
home-school collaboration and she has made presentations at NASP and many other national
conferences on this topic. Dr. Bartels has served on several Maryland Department of
Education task forces addressing the needs of children and adolescents in Maryland
and is a Board member of the National Association of School Psychologists Program
Approval Board.